Ten years later.

by AppleBloomster

Rating: everyone
Tags: Adventure, Slice of Life
Length: 17013

10 years have passed since Twilight graduated and a lot of things changed.

** Edit: This story contains semi-shipping. Don't read if you don't like shipping at all **

It's been a while since Twilight graduated from Princess Celestia's school for gifted unicorns. Ten years to be exact.
Al lot of things changed in Ponyville and all over Equestria.
Especially in the personal lives of the ponies, but they all tried to stay friends.
They tried their best, but still, they don't see each other very often. Now Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo finally come back from Cloudsdale and now the reunion of the six best friends and of course the Cutie Mark Crusaders begins.

Published 1970-01-01 00:00:00 UTC
Last updated 2012-08-26 15:27:06 UTC

Chapter 1 - Twilight Sparkle

Ten years later

Chapter 1 - Twilight Sparkle

This story plays 10 years after season three, Equestria is relatively peaceful again. Twilight graduated, the CMC got their Cutie Marks and so on. Ten years later a lot of things changed in Ponyville. (I wrote this  BEFORE season 3 came out, I'm sorry if I make mistakes or some things seem illogical)

"Spiiiike? Spiiiike?! Where are you Spike?" the annoyed, purple unicorn stomps her hoof on the ground. "We don't have all day" she moans and starts to look for her number one assistant.

"I'm here, Twi. It's seven o'clock in the morning. Why are you so agitated?"

Twilight growls and grits her teeth. "That's typical Spike again. You forgot that you have to make a presentation today, didn't you?" she looks down at the green and purple dragon, even though he's grown in the past years he's still a little smaller than the unicorn Twilight Sparkle. "My students feel so happy about you coming and you forgot it!"

"Calm down Twi! I didn't forget it... I'm just very tired... Let's go, alright?" he lumbers on his four feet, he looks pretty sturdy and strong like that, yet his wings are still punny and he's unable to fly. The dragon steps outside, fresh air blowson his face, he takes a long breath and continues his walk. There's only one direction: Twilight Sparkle's school for unicorns.

It's just a little school, you can take one or two hour courses before or after school. "You know Twilight, you could be a little calmer. You're always in a hurry, but there's no reason for that. We have all the time we need" he complains. Spike is not a baby anymore, but he's still a stubborn, cheeky dragon who actually wants to sleep through the whole day. "We could sleep a little longer, you students wouldn't be mad at you.

Twilight rolls her eyes, but she has to chuckle immediately. "You know that I don't want to be tardy and I don't want my students to be late either" she explains and opens the door to the classroom. "What are you going to say, Spike? I hope you're prepared" she looks at him with an observant look on her face.

Spike sighs. "You will see what I've prepared Twi, I'm not doing this for the first time and you know that" he giggles while the students are entering. They're either six or seven years old.

Twilight clears her throat. "Good morning everypony. I am miss Twilight Sparkle. I'll be your teacher for this year. The courses is optinial for every unicorn in Ponyville. You can come back next year, but if you didn't like it you don't have to. I hope I encourage you to be a good student, I hope we'll have a great time together. Before we start with the actual tuition I wanna introduce my assisstant Spike to you" she points at the purple dragon.

He just waves and smiles at all the ponies. "I had to hatch him for my entrance exam for Princess Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns. "He is going to tell you something about magic before we start. Will you begin, Spike?" she smiles and steps back.

Spike stands on two legs again. An awkward smile appears on his face. This is the eighth year and I'm still nervous he thinks and his smile gets brighter. "Well my name is Spike. I'm the number one assistant of Twilight Sparkle, she's the most talented unicorn in all of Equestria. She asked me to do a little presentation about the different types of magic. You are going to learn unicorn magic, but there are other kinds of magic too. I'm about to show you some" he takes a quill and paper and writes something. "'Dear princess Celestia and princess Luna!

This is Spike, I'm writing to you because the new school year started. There are some wonderful new students for Twilight, she's doing a great job as a teacher, just like you. They're wonderfully pleasant and I'm glad I can write you this. I hope for a good response.

Yours,

Spike" he writes and reads.

A white unicorn with a black mane raises his hoof. "How are you going to deliver this to the princess, mister Spike?" he asks.

Spike smiles:"That's what I'm going to show you kids. It's my personal magic. I can deliver mail in a second only with my breath" he explains and sends the letter. As usual it disappears with the aid of his fire breath in purple smoke.

After a few moments he burps another letter out. He catches it with his claw and opens the bow. The dragon starts to read. "Dear Spike,

I wish you both Twilight and you started in a great new school year. I hope the students are willing to learn and are happy to be here. I trust you and your skills completely. Please send new letters if there are some news.

Princess Luna"

The mouths of the unicorns drop open. "How have you done that?" - "How is this possible?" - "Can I do this too?" the questions are clanging through the room. "Calm, calm, little ponies" he grins. And now it begins he thinks content with himself. "Please calm down kids. What I've just showed you is practicually my kind of magic. I wanted to show you that every living creature has some type of magic, not only unicorns can perform them. You asked me how I've done that, well I just did! How do you do your magic? And that's the point, you have something magical inside yourself, like everybody else" he explains. The dragon bows as the foals clop their hooves. "Thank you everypony. Miss Twilight I think it's your turn now. Goodbye fillies" he smiles and walks out of the room.

After Spike left Twilight continues. Her horn starts to glow and each book on her table flies to one of the fillies. She clears her throat again and starts to talk about the use of magic, how they're going to learn it and so on, the first lesson is never about actual magic. After one hour she smiles at everypony. "You can go now fillies and colts, you don't want to miss your courses in school. I'll see you in two days" she smiles. Like the other elementary and high school Twilight's school of magic has seven courses a day, but the students shouldn't miss so many hours, so each course is only three times a week.

The rest of the day was normal and peaceful, like every day of a new school year. Twilight loves being a teacher especially because it has to do with magic. Most ponies say nopony could ask for a better teacher, well she had a better teacher, but she blushes everytime everypony says something like this anyway.

With a happy look on her face Twilight leaves the house and trots through the streets of her beautiful home: Ponyville. To be exact it isn't her real home, she was born in Canterlot, but she lives in this little town for 13 years now. So it's technically her home to the unicorn.

"Crusaders of rock! The world sensation is coming to Ponyville! You shouldn't miss the most awesome, most terrific, super-duper amazing band in all of Equestria!" the newscolt screams through the streets of Ponyville. "More news! The Summer Night Concert will be soon, you should get your tickets!" he stop and glares at Twilight. "Care for a newspaper miss Twilight?" he asks. She smiles:"Sure, like every afternoon" she hands him fours bits and starts to read the journal.

The world sensation Sweetie Belle and her band are on tour again. They are going to visit Ponyville. It is going to be their first stop on their Equestria tour. It will be at September 9th. That is already in three days, but there are still a few tickets left. You should get one if you want to see one of the best bands that ever existed

She reads carefully and a bright smile appears on her face. She's heard of Sweetie Belle's band, the Crusaders of Rock. You must live under a rock if you haven't heard of them before, especially here in Equestria. She gallops right to a place where you can buy the tickets and buys one for each or her friends. But now I have to do something more important. It's almost three pm she thinks and gallops straight to Sugar Cube Corner where her beloved friends are already waiting for her to celebrate a crucial birthday.

She opens the door to Sugar Cube Corner. "Good evening everypony" she unicorn smiles happily and trots into the house.

Immediately a little earth pony with pink coat and a red, curled mane jumps at her. His dark blue eyes are staring right into her own eyes. "Good mo'ning Twiligh'" he giggles and cuddles the unicorn. "I'm glad to see you too Cheery Pie. Happy Birthday!"

The one-year old pony hugs Twilight tightly. "T'ank you Twi, I'm so happy" he laughs and runs around in circles until the little colt falls down and starts to sob like a little kid, well he is a little kid after all. Twilight runs over to him, lays the colt on her shoulder and comforts him. "ShhhShhh little one, it's okay" she speaks silently and softly.

Pinkie Pie takes her son gently out of Twilight's arms. "Thank you, Twi. My little guy is very active" she giggles and pets Cheery Pie. "It's alright my dear" she kisses his nose and puts her son down again. "Go and play with the others upstairs" she says and looks at Twilight:"I'm happy that you made it, Twi. The others are already upstairs and PARTY!" she greets her friend and hugs her tightly just like her son. "Ohhhh this party is going to be so great! Like really Twi! Thanks for coooming. See you there" she laughs and bounces to the first floor.

Twilight chuckles. Oh Pinkie, even though you have a child you're still the same crazy party pony that we love so much she sighs and trots upstairs where almost all her friends are, including Apple Bloom, Spike and Applejack's children.

Applejack has a daughter, Apple Jam, she has a yellow coat and straight, brown hair, she's seven years old. And she has a son, Apple Zappy, he has an orange coat and light, smooth, gren hair, he's two years old. "I already have my cutie mark! It's super awesome! It's a jar of jam and you have to wait forever, until you get yours" she giggles, she finds it funny to tease her brother, but it's not supposed to be rude or even nasty.

Apple Bloom jumps at her niece. "Oh you big meanie!" she bites her nose and both start to giggle. "Auntie Bloom, that's not fair!" she guffaws and tries to push her aunt away. No chance, Apple Bloom is much stronger.

Twilight watches the scene, but suddenly everypony is silent, they look at Twilight's direction. "Huh? What's wrong with me?" she turns around and is startled by her vision.

"BLOOOOMSTEEEER!" Scootaloo the weather pegasus shouts.

"SCOOOOOOOOTS!" Apple Bloom shouts back.

Both gallop to each other, they cuddle and hug as tight as possible. "I missed you so much Scoots" Apple Bloom sobs and presses her face into Scootaloo's mane. "I missed you too Bloomster. It's been a while since I've moved to Cloudsdale"

Twilight, Applejack, Fluttershy, Rarity and Pinkie Pie can't contain their joy, they can't hold the wave of happiness back. They just jump on Rainbow Dash to hug one of their best friends. The pegasus pony with the rainbow mane giggles. "Girls, girls! I know, it's been a while too!" she tries to hug all of them back. "I'm sorry that I couldn't manage to visit you" she frowns and they all stand up. "But now you're heeere!" Pinkie Pie bounces in circles and laughs. "I'm sooo happy that you're here!"

Scootaloo and Apple Bloom stopped hugging. The pegasus smiles. "We'll be here until Sweetie Belle comes. We're gonna watch her concert" she pronounces.

Rainbow Dash nods:"I've missed you so much in the past years. The wonderbolts are awesome, but you're the best friend a pegasus could wish for and Scootaloo is also pretty busy as a weather pony in Cloudsdale" she explains.

Twilight smiles at them:"It's no problem, now you're here and we can celebrate Cheery Pie's birthday!"

Pinkie Pie jumps with her son:"EXACTLY!" she laughs and everypony starts to party. There's punch, games, cake, food and a lot of dancing and talking. They don't have so much time anymore, but they try to stay as close as possible. They saved the world three times and they'll probably be friends for the rest of their lives.

Twilight walks around and asks everypony how their life is and everything sounds pretty neat. She is very happy that her friends made it so far and she's also happy that she's still in contact with the princesses. "Oh Spike, I'm so happy that we still have each other" she kisses her assistant on the nose. "But you should be more mature, you're twenty-five years old!"

Spike sighs while he's dancing around with Cheery Pie and throwing him around to catch him again. "You can trust me, Twi. And you always say I'm technically still a five-year old and I act like one!" he continues playing.

Twilight sits down for a while and gazes at the stars outside, the night is beautiful. She's grown up with the face of the mare on the moon and dull nights. Celestia was a good princess of the night, but Luna's nights are much more beautiful. She smiles, looks at her friends and continues to celebrate the birthday of Cheery Pie.

Chapter 2 - Pinkie Pie

Chapter 2 - Pinkie Pie

"Mommy, mommy, a're you awake?" with loose knees and teary eyes the little colt stands in front of Pinkie's bed. "Mommy, I had a ba' d'eam" wriggles his nose and jumps on the bed.

Pinkie slowly opens her eyes, she waits until her vision isn't so blurry anymore and she can figure out what's happening in the dark. "What happened sweetiee?" her voice sounds unnaturally rough. "I had a ba' d'eam" he answers and slips under the blanket. "Awww sweetiee! The monsters aren't real, they're only in your imagination. Just laugh and they will disappear" she pokes her son's nose. "Look your father here" she points at the stallion with a white coat and a red mane. "Has nightmares too and I also have nightmares, it's normal to have them, but you have to keep in mind that they're not real"

She wipes Cheery Pie's tears away. "When I was a little filly and the sun was going down, the darkness and the shadows they would always make me frown. I'd hide under my pillow from what I thought I saw, but Granny Pie said that wasn't the way to deal with fears at all. She said: Pinkie you gotta stand up tall, learn to face your fears, you'll see that they can hurt you just laugh to make them disappear" she begins to sing and her son starts to giggle. "See? It works!" she puts him on her back and continues. "Sooo! Giggle at the ghostly, guffaw at the grossly, crack up at the creepy, whoop it up with the weepy, chortle at the kooky, snortle at the spooky!" she sings and lays him back into his bed. "Everything's alright, my little dear" the pink pony kisses his nose. "Good night Cheery"

"Good night mommy"

She turns off the lights, closes the door and goes back to bed. "Pinkie responsibility Pie! I can take care of my little one" she talks to herself. She cuddles herself under the blanket and falls asleep again.

Pinkie opens her eyes and looks around, her room looks like it always looks. She smiles and cuddles her blanket. She looks at her husband:"We should stand up right? I'm too tired to do so" she giggles.

Strawberry Pie shakes his head, he jumps off his bed and starts tickling her wife:"Come on, come on! Little Pinkie! It's time to get up"

Pinkie guffaws so loud that you think the walls vibrate. "St-stop it!" she jumps and tackles him down so that she can press him down and kiss his nose. "What do the abutters think? You torture me!" she complains about his behavior.

He turns around and both stand up:"Yes, but... it's not like we don't do that every day, but see! You stood up!" he chuckles in victory and trots down to open Sugar Cube Corner.

Pinkie rolls her eyes. I should finally know what he's doing to me she sighs and bounces downstairs. "Oh good morning Mrs. Cake" she smiles.

The blue earth pony with the pink mane which looks like icing smiles at Pinkie:"I just wanted to see if everything's okay. The new owners of Sugar Cube Corner are doing a great job"

Pinkie smiles in relief. "Thank you. How's the restaurant going?"

Mrs. Cake clears her throat:"It's simply divine! But there are two ponies who wanted to see me?" she steps back and looks outside. Pound Cake and Pumpkin Cake run into Sugar Cube Corner right to Pinkie Pie. "Oh my favorite little foals!" she bursts out into laughter and hugs the teenagers. "We don't see each other enough since I'm not your babysitter anymore"

Pound Cake:"That's why we're here. We've missed you Pinkie" the pegasus detaches himself from Pinkie:"We want to work here at Sugar Cube Corner as temporary workers"

Pumpkin Cake:"Exactly! And I can look after Cheery Pie if you have no time to do so. You could sell much more candies"

Pinkie nods, she thinks about the offer. She loves the Baby Cakes, that's how she calls them, but she has to pay them too.

"Alright, my little cakes! You're hired. So when do you want to work?"

Before they can answer they jump on Pinkie Pie and give her a second tight hug to show their joy. Pumpkin Cake:"Ohhh thanks Pinkie! This means a lot to us. It's much better in Sugar Cube Corner than in our restaurant.

Pound Cake:"Yeah, much more fun you know!"

Pinkie chuckles:"Yeah I know exactly what you mean. So you come every day after school?"

They stand up again and the Cake twins nod in agreement.

The pink party pony nods:"Alright, I'll see you this afternoon. Have fun in school" she smiles while the three ponies are leaving again.

Pinkie is not just the owner of Sugar Cube Corner, she's also a party planer, she actually plans meetings all over Equestria. A few years ago princess Celestia gave her this royal duty. Pinkie plans all kinds of events, thus she planned the upcoming tour of Sweetie Belle's band Crusaders of Rock. With the letter for Sweetie Belle in her mouth Pinkie trost over to the post office. "Thanks for your help Featherweigt and happy birthday in a week" she smiles while she's giving him the letter. The pegasus nods:"Thanks Pinkie, I'll tell Derpy to deliver the mail as fast as possible"

Happily Pinkie bounces outside again. She doesn't head back to her home, she just makes a stroll through her beloved, beautiful town.

"Pinkie Pie! Pinkie Pie!" a voice clangs through her ears, she would recognize this voice always and everywhere. "Rainbow Dash!" the pink pony jumps up and hugs the cyan blue pegasus who's just dashed down to her. "Hey Pinkie, haven't seen you in a while" she snuggles her best friend and both of them stand up. "How about we do some pranks before you go back to work? How about a little competition? The one who pranks one of our four other friends first wins" the pegasus crouches down and has a challenging smile on her face.

Pinkie starts to bounce around Rainbow:"Oooooh! Yes, yes, yes, yeees. Let's have some fun!" Seconds after she said these words Rainbow was already in the sky again and flew away. "Hihihi, this is gonna be sooo funny" she makes big bounces. "Hmmm... what could I possibly do? .... Ah got it!" an evil grin appears on Pinkie's face and she gallops back to Sugar Cube Corner. "Cheery Pie! Cheery Pie my little sweetie, where are you?"

The little pony lumbers over the floor to her mother and hugs her. "Ah am he'e, mommy!" he grins brightly.

Pinkie puts him on her back and walks into the kitchen. "I wanted to show you how to make cupcakes" she explains and prepares the treats for cooking.

Cheery Pie smiles britghtly and jumps on his mother's back:"Wha' a're they fo'?" he asks and looks over Pinkie's shoulder.

Pinkie puts hot sauce into the dough. "Rainbow will eat those Cupcakes and gets a SURPRISE!" the party pony giggles and creates rainbow colored icing over the cupcakes.

"It's called a prank sweetiee" she explains.

Several hours have passed and it's late in the night now. "The elder sister took on responsibility for both sun and moon and harmony has been maintained in Equestria for generations since" Pinkie Pie reads to her child and smiles at him:"Good night" she kisses his forehead. The little colt frowns:"But mommy, I wanna hea' the sto'y about you and you' f

f'iends" he demands.

Pinkie shook her head:"I'll tell you that story tomorrow and now sleep it's late, good night, sleep tight" she smiles again and closes the door afterwards.

That was a pretty nice day, I wonder what the others are up- she couldn't end her thoughts, the pink party pony stepped over a cord, a second later she was hanging head first from the ceiling:"Hey, what's going on here?" she complains and folds her arms.

"I WON!"

That's a pretty familiar voice, a little too familiar. "Oh no..." Pinkie frowns, but has to giggle immediately while Rainbow Dash steps in front of her. "How did you even get here?" she asks and pokes her nose. "Your husband let me in" Rainbow chuckles and releases her friend:"I missed these jokes, there are several hidden pranks here. You should be careful!" The cyan pegasus looks around:"You'll find out, tomorrow at Sweetiee Belle's concert. Sugar Cube Corner does the catering, together with some other shops" she pokes her tongue out at Dash:"Do you want to help me prepairing everything?"

Rainbow Dash nods rapidly:"Of course, let's get started!"

Chapter 3 - Applejack

Chapter 3 - Applejack

Slowly Applejack opens her sleepy eyes, the rooster didn't even cry yet, but Applejack wakes up early every day, she's used to see the sunrise through her window. A little smile appears on her face:"Good morning Ponyville" she whispers and jumps off her bed.

The orange earth pony trots over the squeaky floor and knocks at her spouse's door:"It's time to get up"

A very sleepy, brown earth pony steps outside, his light green hair is totally destroyed. The dark circles around his eyes tell you exactly what he thinks:"I'll never get used to that..." he has to giggle though.

"I'll pick the apples, please make sure Apple Jam goes to school... in due time" she knits her brows:"Not like yesterday!"

The stallion called Kiwi Fruit wraps his hoof around Applejack and kisses her cheek:"I promise she'll be there on time"

"Pinkie Pie promise?"

"What's a Pinkie Pie promise?" he blinks confused.

Applejack giggles:"Never mind, I'll see you at breakfast" she smiles and gallops to her orchard. The pleasant smell of apples flows through her nose and a gentle breeze caresses her face:"I love my work" she smiles again and starts to buck apples.

"Breakfast's ready!" Apple Bloom shouts through the acre in order to round everypony up:"Come on sis" she smiles and Applejack follows her little sister into the house. Apple Bloom is not that little anymore though.

Her whole family, well her Sweet Apple Acres family, is already there and they already began to eat. "Good morning everypony" she greets them and kisses her children. The orange pony looks at the place where her Granny Smith always sat. She sighs.

Big Mac's big green eyes face Applejack:"We miss her too AJ" he tries to comfort her with his deep, clear voice.

Apple Bloom swallows:"I don't really want to say that, but we have to move on Applejack. Granny Smith died 3 years ago, she had a great life, her time had come" she smiles:"Come on, eat something"

Applejack sighs, but sits down and eats her breakfast. Applejack remains silent while the others are talking, she just ignores them. I miss my granny, but they're right... I have to move on, it can't destroy my whole life. Yet it's so difficult to move on. Thousands of thoughts are in her head and they won't leave her alone. The earth pony stands up and kisses her children and her husband again:"Have fun in school you two, I'll see at noon Kiwi" she smiles and walks outside. She still suffers from her thoughts, she can't stop it. So she decides to buck the apples again, they have to make treats for the concert anyway. At least she has some time alone, some time to think about everything.

"Mommy, mommy!" Apple Zappy cries and gallops towards her mother:"I... Apple Jam..." he sobs and many tears run down his face:"Lost... wood..." he tries to explain, but everything Applejack understands is some stuttered gibberish. Applejack forgets her thoughts about her dead grandmother immediately. She picks her son up and pets him gently:"ShhhShhh. Easy Zappy" she kisses his cheek and comforts him until he stops crying. The little colt gulps:"They were on their way to school and I went with them and then... Apple Jam ran away, into the everfree forest and... and... Daddy tried to stop her and ran after her... and"

Applejack gasps:"Oh shoot! Go inside Zappy, your auntie Apple Bloom is there and makes some food for the concert. Don't worry, I'll take care of this" she smiles at his son and puts him down again.

After Apple Zappy was back in the house Applejack ran to the Everfree Forest. The forest isn't far away, Apple Jam and Kiwi Fruit pass it everyday when they go into town.

So the earth pony is pretty sure where they entered it. I think I can't blame him, he just wanted to look after his daughter and now he doesn't find her or they don't find the exit and are at leat together she thinks pretty upset about the ituation

She gulps while she's slowly walking into the forest. Applejack has been many times in there, that doesn't change the fact that it's extremely dangerous in there, especially if you're alone. She doesn't even want to think about where her daughter is and her husband. They could be anywhere by now, the forest is gigantic.

Applejack looks around, it's daytime, but all the homungus, trees are making the forest even at day pretty dark. At least she's able to see her own hoof in front of her. Suddenly something swishes in the bushes. Applejack turns around to look for it, but the shadow is so fast that it jumps from bush to bush, Applejack turns the whole time, her vision is getting blurry because she spins too fast. All of a sudden a hard, cold object hits her front hoof and the earth pony falls on her nose. The last thing she's able to see are some dark, silhouettes in front of her.

Applejack wakes up, she touches her head because of a terrible headache, the pain disappears after a few seconds. In spite of wobbly knees she manages to stand up and makes herself a picture of the situation.

She's in a room, or in a cave? No, it's a room, a big hall to be exact. A place that seems familiar, but something she hasn't seen in years. Suddenly it dawns on her. "Ohhh, right! This is the ancient castle of the royal princesses" she looks around. At least she knows how to get out of the forest now. She still has to find her daughter and her husband though.

After a few seconds five creatures appear around her. They look like a mix of a monkey and a little bear, with spiky ears and small, red eyes. They have dark brown fur. They snarl and show their claws, they're ready to attack, but Applejack is prepared too. "I don't know what you are, but y'all can't stop me!" she grins at them and starts to gallop in circles. The creatures, called nightmares, try to catch her, try to dig their claws into the earth pony and bite her, but every time one of them comes close to her she kicks them away or acts like a rodeo horse.

Now every single one lays on the ground, Applejack breathes heavily, but she sees her chance to escape. Rapidly the orange pony sprints through the gate, over the bridge. "I'm mighty happy it's still there" she says to herself. On the other side of the bride she bites through the ropes so that the monsters wouldn't be that fast.

After a pretty long sprint Applejack begins to trot instead. Even the trained runner has to stop from time to time. She breaths heavily and spots a stream in the distance. "Perfect" she snorts and gallops over there.

Yet another surprise on this extraordinary day, a purple sea serpent comes out of the water, with a filly on his head:"Really, you could hurt yourself, don't jump on me when I'm diving and you are ruining my fabulous, magnificent hair" he complains. Applejack recognizes the voice and the behavior immediately and of course the unmannerly.

"Come down Apple Jam! I know you're adventerous, but not when you have to be in school" she lectures her daughter.

"Oh shoot... would ya let me down Serpy?" she grins brightly while the sea serpent is putting her down:"My name is not Serpy young lady. Thanks for rescuing my mustache and my mane" he bows and disappears in the water.

Applejack looks at her daughter very angrily:"I told you, you shouldn't go into this forest, it's dangerous"

"But I'm fine!"

"Yes, but you could be injured or worse, you had luck. I want you to be honest Apple Jam, you have to be trustworthy. How can I allow you something if I can't trust you?" As Apple Jam starts to cry the earth pony sits down and wraps her hoof around the filly:"Sometimes I'm not honest, but you can believe me if it's important you do can count on me. I just want your best and that you don't get hurt. Do you promise me you will be honest?"

Apple Jam wipes her tears away and nods:"I'm sorry mommy, you can trust me"

Applejack kisses her forehead:"Alright, we'll see if you say the truth now" she smiles and looks around:"Where is your father?" she asks full of worry again.

"Daddy went outside to look for you, he said I should stay with the serpent" she explains and wants to run through the water.

The purple sea serpent makes a bridge immediately:"You can be very rude dear, you should work on that, but I don't have visitors very often, it's my pleasure"

The earth ponies walk over him. Apple Jam waves and runs ahead:"Thank ya a bunch" Applejack smiles.

The serpent gasps:"Oh I remember you! You are the friend of the charming white unicorn who gave me my wonderful mustache back... It was a few years ago, but I miss her, she was so fabulous"

Applejack giggles:"I'll tell Rarity to visit you soon, promised"

"Rarity! What a beautiful name!" he gasps again and splashes into the water what causes that he spatters the orange pony with water. A little annoyed Applejack gallops away, the same way her daughter took. "At least I get dry" she chuckles and both ponies leave the forest together.

Finally they see Kiwi Fruit again and Applejack can return to the farm:"You still have a few minutes until school Apple Jam, hurry up and you can still get there on time sugarcube" she smiles away and gallops back to the apple orchard.

She peers into the house where Apple Bloom and Apple Zappy are baking.

The yellow earth pony looks at her elder sister:"Oh Applejack, you're back! What happened?"

Applejack smiles:"Oh... just the usual" she has to giggle and leaves again.

Apple Zappy has to laugh:"My sister got into trouble again!"

Apple Bloom nods in agreement:"You're more down-to-earth, but it's not bad to be adventerous"

Applejack blinds their conversation out and starts to pick apples again. Some ponies may think it would get boring after all these years, but not for Applejack. She can think about everything and has time for herself, she would never switch her life with someone.

Chapter 5 - Fluttershy

Chapter 5 - Fluttershy

(I know it's been a while since I've loaded the last chapter up and it's a very short one too. I'm sorry about that, I was taking a vacation, and I won't have enough time to write soon. I try to get two chapters after this one ready before I have to leave again. I'm sorry, hope you enjoy the story!)

I'm running all alone along this lonely path. They're chasing me, soon they will get me. These scary creatures. Soon... soon... they will get me. Why can't I run faster? I can't see anything! Where am I? Why is everything disappearing. Everything except these creatures... They're coming closer... No... don't!

Fluttershy rapidly opens her eyes, she pants heavily and looks around. It's early in the morning, the sun just rose. She squints her eyes and touches her tummy. The yellow pegasus has an extreme stomachache. Ugh... not now... she thinks to herself and rubs over her big tummy. She kisses her belly and realizes that her foal wants to be born, right now. Fluttershy doesn't have a big problem with that, but it's a rather unfavorable moment right now. She slowly stands up, the pegasus can barely move, her whole body hurts far too hard.

"I have to get to Sweet Apple Acres..." Fluttershy moans and flaps her wings. Flying seems to work better than walking, so she flies out of her Cottage right to Sweet Apple Acres.

The pegasus doesn't have much strength right now, she has to stop and rest for a while, but then the baby struggles inside of her and the pegasus decides to fly ahead. After some minutes Fluttershy finally makes it to the apple orchard. "Big Mac? Where are you?" she groans, not much louder than a whisper though.

After a while she finds Apple Bloom who is carrying a barrel on her back:"Howdy there Fluttershy! What can I do for you... uhm... are you okay?" The yellow earth pony wraps her hoof around Fluttershy and the pegasus leans against her:"I have to get to Big Mac" she groans.

Apple Bloom smiles softly:"I will get you to the barn and get the others" She lays the apples down and picks Fluttershy up.

They're getting closer. They'll catch me... they almost got me.... I can't see them? I can only see this light... this light in the dark, mysterious forest, I'm running, they chase me. They chase me down... They sorround me, what are these creatures? Do they want to...

"Fluttershy! Fluttershy!"

Big Mac's deep, loud voice wakes her up. She still sees the silhouettes of the creatures, blurry imagination around her. She shakes her head.

"Shhh, shhh. It's gonna be fine, he or she is coming. You seem to be scared, what's wrong?" he asks and kisses her forehead. They suddenly disappear and Fluttershy's vision clears. She looks at the red, tall stallion watching her with a worried look on his face. He normally doesn't speak that much at all. Fluttershy must look horrible and she feels horrible. She cramps and moans.

"I hope she'll be fine" Applejack says, peeking through the window.

"Well I'd be happy if I could see anything!" Apple Zappy complains behind her.

"Be quiet! Fluttershy needs peace and quiet!" Spike cuts them off.

"Maybe she can't do it when we're looking" Scootaloo giggles

"That's mean" Apple Bloom pokes her friend.

Suddenly Fluttershy starts to scream. Her screams are shattering, extremely noisy. She has much pain. But what do the ponies expect from somepony who is about to get a foal? Of course she has pain and two female ponies who are watching know exactly how it feels. They're still happy for her friend. They are so happy that no one tells each other from the nightmares. All of them had nightmares the past few nights, but they didn't want to stress anybody, especially not Fluttershy who really needed some peace before she gets her first child whose father obviously is Big Mac.

A few hours have passed and know all the happy ponies who were peering through the window are in the barn and watch the little colt. Of course he can't walk yet, he just sits there and cuddles his mother. It's a yellow pegasus, with a red mane and green eyes. He doesn't seem to be shy at all, he already tries to crawl around and especially Apple Zappy and Cheery Pie seem to be very interested. Apple Zappy jumps:"What I said! We're the new cutie mark crusaders" he giggles and nuzzles the little colt.

Sweetie Belle snickers:"You are already thinking about that? You have a few years until you can worry about your cutie mark, especially the other two!"

Fluttershy ignores their conversation, she's pretty busy getting congratulations from all her friend. She is actually mighty proud. Just, very... very... tired. The pegasus lays her wing on her son's body and both fall asleep.

Fluttershy still lives in her cottage and she always will. It's her job to take care of her animal friends and she doesn't want to do anything else. Since Apple Bloom and the two fillies can help at Sweet Apple Acres Big Mac always comes to her at afternoon. He helps her with the animals and of course with their son.

Glaring, dark circles around Fluttershy's eyes mark her face as she gives her son some milk. Almost everypony in Ponyville has very bad sleep lately. She heard that even Sweetie Belle has problems with her concert because everybody's to tired all the time. Nopony is getting enough sleep lately and the nightmares seem to be about the same. It's just horrible. The others decided to go to Canterlot, but of course Fluttershy has to stay here, with her new baby. I wouldn't be a big help anyway she thinks smiling and lays Autmn Blaze in his bed.

Chapter 6 - Rarity

Chapter 6 - Rarity

Rarity had a very, very busy time lately. She has a boutique in Canterlot, so she actually lives in Canterlot, her parents are running Carousel Boutique, but the wite unicorn still makes the dresses, of course. They just sell it and so Rarity comes to town once in a while, it's been more times in the last few days and she had awful nights and especially dreams. The letter from Twilight made her see that everypony suffers from this pain.

The unicorn sighs while she's sweing the fabric together. She still looks around, looking for her cat, but Opal died about a year ago. She sighs, it feels like she's getting old. She had that cat since she was a little filly.

Suddenly somepony knocks at her door:"I'm coming" she says. She slowly lays her things down with her magic and trots to the door. She can think about who's at the door and it is who she expected. The fashion pony smiles brightly and hugs her four friends:"It's lovely to see you all! Where's Fluttershy?" she frowns.

Rainbow shrugs:"Twi said she couldn't come because of her baby, well I had to cancel a show with the Wonderbolts too, but I guess the princess is more important" the pegasus giggles, she takes off into the sky and flies to the castle.

Twilight sighs:"Of course the orders of the princesses are more important than some show with the Wonderbolts" she smiles at Rarity:"We should go now. Nice to have you here!"

Pinkie Pie hops around her friends:"Yep! Yep! Yep! You missed something Rarity! After Flutter got Autmn Blaze we had a big, homungus, terrific, super-duper awesome party at Sugar Cube Corner...!"

Rarity tries to ignore her friend. It's not like she's that annoying, but Pinkie Pie talks so much an so fast, that she can't follow her anyway, not with all those thoughts in her head. She thinks about the nightmares, about the weird creatures showing up all over Equestria and she worries what will happen next. They're not safe at all. Everything could happen, they could be close to a disaster. Oh you worry too much Rarity! It could be anything! It may not be that bad after all!

But her worries were entitled. As they arrive the palace and the throne room, only Princess Luna sits there, with a weird look on her face. It looks worried and sorrowful.

Twilight bows and looks at her with big eyes:"Princess! What happened? Where's Princess Celestia?" she frowns.

Luna sighs and closes her eyes:"Celestia sleeps. She slept for the last two days. I have to explain something. I can enter dreams of ponies, that's something I usually don't do. Only to cure terrible... bad dreams of my subjects. My rose the sun and then she fell asleep, this morning the sun rose again, but she still sleeps! It seemed to raise itself! I tried to get into her dream, but it didn't work, I don't know why it didn't work, but I'm worried. It's not natural" she opens her eyes again and looks at their scared and disturbed faces.

Rarity can't believe it, just like Princess Luna couldn't believe it. She looks at the floor and thinks about all this:"But why did you want us to come princess?" she asks, she seems to be the only one who can say something at all. "I know we're the spirits of the elements of harmony, but what can we do?"

Luna walks over to the unicorn, but she actually talks to Twilight:"I need you to activate the elements of harmony so that you can release her or the nightmare disappears. I don't know what it is, but the elements can help... maybe"

Twilight smiles and nods:"I think we can do it, but we need Fluttershy for this!"

Luna nods:"No problem, I will get her, if you would be so kind and wait here" she smiles and suddenly teleports.

Twilight sighs deeply and lays down:"I can't believe this. What is going on here?"

Applejack looks at them:"I think I know it"

Everypony gasps and looks at them:"WHAT?!" they shout like in a choir. Applejack frowns:"Some days ago my daughter ran off into the Everfree Forest. I got caught by creatures called nightmares, well I've heard of them, I wasn't sure they really were those kind of creatures"

Twilight gasps:"Oh no... I read about them... that's horrible, we've got to do something about this! Before they infiltrate our minds! These monsters create nightmares until we are caught in them" she explains.

Rainbow growls:"Hey, we're gonna get through this! We made it through worse things, guys! We can do it!"

The ponies nod and agree with Dash when suddenly Luna reappears, together with Fluttershy, both have such a serious look on their faces.

The alicorn gallops to the throne and picks the casket with the elements of harmony up:"Let's go" she urges on them and gallops to Celestia's chambers. The other six ponies are right behind her.

They enter Celestia's room, but they seem to be too late. A nightmare stands right in front of the white alicorn, but it seems to be much taller, bigger and more powerful than the creatures who attacked Applejack in the forest.

He looks at them and his eyes glow in a deep red that looks like blood. A deep laugh clangs through the room:"You're too late little ponies! The princess is under my total control now! And soon, SOON you'll be mine too. I gained the power of so many different creatures" Suddenly Celestia's body lifts, but it looks like she was a puppet on loose strings. Her eyes begin to glow and he just laughs.

Lunja and Twilight stomp their hooves on the ground at the same time, they form a powerful force field around the ponies. Twilight growls:"You won't get away with this, we have the elements of harmony and we ARE the spirits of the elements!"

Rainbow starts to fly:"Yeah, exactly!"

But suddenly everything happens far too fast to react. The floor starts to shake and the monster and Celestia start to glow in a red light. He growls deeply:"HOW DARE YOU! I'M GONNA SHOW YOU MY STRENGTH!" the sound seems to come from everywhere. It almost smashes you down.

Rarity's hooves get all wobbly, everypony's hooves get wobbly. First Fluttershy, then Pinkie, even Rainbow breaks down.

Rarity starts to cry, she thinks about her life. How she left Ponyville two years ago to live in Canterlot, how her parents take care of Carousel Boutique, how her sister left the town too and everything started to disappear. The floor shakes heavier and the ceiling seems to fall down in a few seconds.

She doesn't even realize what's happening anymore. "YOU ARE GOING TO PAY!" he shouts, his big claws grab the six elements of harmony. Rarity looks around, her vision gets blurry, but she sees that herself, Twilight and Luna are the last ones standing. "Twilight, do something" she breaks down, but tries not to get unconscious.

She sees how Twilight's horn glows, it sparks, but she can't do anything. The monster seems to suck her dry. Of course, we all suffered from the nightmares, he takes our energy, Twilight knows that... and still... she fights back the white unicorn thinks.

She sighs and groans and the last thing she sees is a mighty ray that fires at them, but Twilight finally manages to use some magic. She uses her last magic to perform a teleportation spell, so that they all get away from here and then Rarity faints.

Chapter 7 - Rainbow Dash

Chapter 7 – Rainbow Dash

“R-Rainbow, what’s goin’ on out there?” Apple Bloom asked with a whimper.

Rainbow’s voice shook a little as she spoke. “I-I don’t know, but I know we’re going to be alright, we will help them!”

“I ain’t felt anything like that before. Is that magic that’s makin’ my knees wobble?” asked

the yellow earth pony. “It’s like I got a ton of bricks weighin’ down on me all of a sudden.”

No sooner did he say those words when the group fell to their knees again. Even Spike’s strong dragon legs gave in despite his best efforts to remain upright.

“My wings feel heavy!” Scootaloo cried out. “What’s happening?”

“I can’t get back up!” Spike said as he struggled in vain to push himself up. His arms

quaked a bit before buckling under his weight. He breathed a little harder as he lie on his

stomach. “A-are we...under a spell...or something?”

“No, no we’re not. At least I don’t think so“ Rainbow replied, struggling futilely to get back to her hooves. “I think

we’re just feeling the side-effects of some very powerful magic from this monster of a nightmare.”

“Y’mean like...like being at the edge of a storm or somethin’ and feelin’ a really strong

breeze?” Apple Bloom inquired.

“That...that’s actually a good metaphor” Rainbow Dash attempted to straighten her wings as she

continued, “I think we’re being weighed down by the Nightmare‘s magical energy. It’s so strong,

it’s like physical weight for us.”

“My forehead hurts,” Sweetie Belle whimpered. She gazed at Dash, hoping she could

offer some way to alleviate her pain.

Rainbow gave Sweetie Belle the most comforting smile she could muster while ignoring her

own wing’s burning pain.

“Don’t worry, Sweetie Belle. We’ll be alright, just...try not to think of it too much.”

“Dash, are we going to be alright?” Scootaloo asked.

A distant explosion could be heard behind the many layers of stone. Trixie flashed

the younger pegasus what she hoped was a convincing smirk. She spoke loud enough so that she could be heard over the rumbling of the stone walls. I will

protect you, no matter what.”

This seemed to do little to calm Scootaloo down. She simply nodded and closed her

eyes. “I wish the others were here.”

Apple Bloom sniffled quietly. “I-I miss Applejack.”

“Rarity...she...she would know what to do.” Sweetie sobbed, her eyes shining with unshed tears. “Rarity isn’t scared of

anything...”

Rainbow frowned sadly as she listened to the three fillies, they were actually not fillies anymore though. She hated this feeling of

helplessness.

She looked at the soon to be ruins of the palace. The earth shook again and everypony fell on their tummies.

A more masculine sobbing caught Rainbow’s attention. She turned to her side, her gaze

now resting on Spike, who trembled while the castle continued to echo with the explosion of

powerful combat magic.

The young dragon was lying on his side, not too far from her, and had his tail tucked

between his legs. His eyes were closed, tears streaking down his cheeks as he shook. So

often he would let out a hiccuping sob.

“T…Twilight...” Spike sniffled. He pulled his tail in closer to his body and wrapped his arms

and legs around it.

Rainbow tried to reach out with a hoof to the frightened dragon. “Spike–”

Her words were cut off by the sudden confident baritone of Spike himself, however.

Spike grumbled:”Rainbow, you have to get there! I’m sure the others are somewhere there! Luna can’t fight that creature all on her own, she needs the elements of harmony!” he told her.

Rainbow Dash glares at the others. She just thought about how she got here. First she landed in the city of Canterlot. She flew around and found the old Cutie Mark Crusaders and Spike who wanted to help. She promised to protect them, but now she doesn’t protect them anymore, she’s not at their side anymore.

She’s always loyal, but they told her to fly back to the castle. It was actually a good idea, she found Twilight with the elements, Applejack and Rarity there. “We must find Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie! The elements of harmony have to be complete, then we could fight back and help Luna” Twilight yells as they run around the castle in order to find the two missing ponies. Rainbow Dash remembers everything exactly. It happened so fast, Twilight teleported them and soon when the cyan Pegasus woke up again, she wanted to find the others. It was her duty as the element of loyalty.

Her eyes peer outside. The enormous magical energy of the nightmare causes strong energy waves. Every time they get thrown at the walls and she can see how the town gets destroyed more and more. She’s also seen how other, littler nightmares try to destroy other towns and cities. She knows one thing for sure, they have to stop it, they are the only ones who can stop this brute.

To their big surprise Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie are already in the room when they arrive the destroyed chambers where the gigantic nightmare.  Rainbow is sure it’s about 20 feet now. A scaring, powerful aura is around them. The Pegasus frowns, she has no hope. They defeated discord, Nightmare Moon and the power of love defeated Chrysalis together with her changeling army, but no one of them had such strong magical energy that they were able to destroy a whole city and his minions damage a lot of other towns too.

A bursting laugh comes out of his mouth, he holds the unconscious Luna in his gigantic claw. “I TOLD YOU, YOU CAN’T DEFEAT ME! I’M TOO POWERFUL FOR YOU. I WILL TAKE OVER THE ENTIRE WORLD AND I WILL START WITH YOU” he yells and his words are echoing from the ancient walls.

Twilight stomps her hooves on the floor and suddenly the necklaces of the elements of harmony start to glow, they fly over the heads of the six ponies. “We can’t stop now, girls! And we will defeat this awful monster!” she tries to give them hope. The necklaces spark and glow in a bright light.

Everypony starts to soar up into the sky. They all believe in the power of magic, they all believe they can do it and they try their best. They will try their best, for the last gorilla attack against this mighty enemy.

Even his growl seems to have a physical strength fighting against the power of the elements of harmony. All of them concentrate and perform their duties as the spirits of the elements of harmony. The air vibrates because of all the magic fighting against each other. It looks like a blaze destroying everything and also seems like that. It feels like Rainbow’s muscles and bones would melt because of all this power and heat. But they still try, they still do their best.

Twilight, one of the most powerful unicorns in the world. The element of magic.

Applejack, a trustworthy, honest, dependable pony. The element of honesty.

Fluttershy, the caring pony, especially to her animal friends. The element of kindness.

Pinkie Pie, the happy, pink, party pony who just giggles at her fears. The element of laughter.

Rarity, the beautiful, fashion pony, who would give their friends anything. The element of generosity.

And of course herself, Rainbow Dash, the Pegasus who would do anything for her friends, family and land. The element of loyalty.

Yes, the element of loyalty, that was one of the reasons why she was able to

Dear Rainbow Dash,

Your wonderful performances in the last Best Young Flyer Competition have impressed us, also the water hurricane you and your team made for Cloudsdale was simply amazing. Your passion, your skills and loyalty to your friends and inhabitants of Ponyville is outstanding. Every single member of the Wonderbolts agreed that you are the most appropriate pony for this job. It is my honour to pronounce that you are invited to become a member of the performer and rescue team: The Wonderbolts.

We hope that you accept our offer and become one of us. You can find more information and your official Wonderbolt suit in the attached parcel. We hope for your quick response!

The leader of the Wonderbolts,

Spitfire

“That was an awesome show Rainbow Dash! Your skills are amazing, Spitfire made no mistake by making you a member and how you rescued that poor filly that fell down, that’s so great!” Soarin’ kissed my cheek tightly:”I hope you can teach me some of your moves soon! That’d be so great!” I blushed and smiled brightly. I finally was a Wonderbolt, I was living the dream. I couldn’t see my friends so much anymore, but they were pretty busy too. They are happy for me and I am happy for them. I love my friends, I will always love them, we’ll always be friends, no matter what will happen in the future.

“Hey Dash, I want to talk to you” Spitfire smiled at me and laid her hoof on my back:”You know you’re almost ten years in the team and you’re actually the youngest of us, but when you come back… I won’t be a Wonderbolt anymore, I’m twenty years older than you and I get old, I’m not that good anymore and that’s why I want you to become the new leader, you’re the best of us, without any doubt. We’ll do the ceremony when you come back, I hope you agree!”

Of course I agreed. This was easily one of the best days in my entire life. I was so happy that I was going to be the new leader of the Wonderbolts.

She concentrates and struggles, but can hardly bare the magical power of the nightmare anymore. It’s not working, they don’t have enough strength, they can’t win. They will lose. I haven’t told them the news yet, this is my dream, I have to tell them… No I can’t lose now, I can’t! We have to rescue Equestria!

She knows it, she just knows it that her friends have similar revelations right now, they all fight, they all still fight to save their beautiful land. She can feel it, how their power gets stronger, how they help the elements of harmony with their own, inner power. They can do it!

They will do it!

They will save their home, their family, friends and everypony else!

Chapter 8 - Apple Bloom

Chapter 8 – Apple Bloom

(I did it! I wrote this chapter right after Everfree Northwest! It's two in the morning, so sorry for many grammar mistakes and stuff... Hope you like it!)

The magical weight pressing down on the group slowly faded away. Spike was the first

to get to his feet, followed shortly by Apple Bloom, Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle. They all look at the castle.

Apple Bloom frowns and her ears are hanging, she feels a uncomfortable pain all around her body:“I don’t think they can make it much longer, we won’t make it… This is our end, the end of ponies… the end of Equestria…“ she lays down and her eyes get teary. Sweetie Belle lays her head in Bloom’s neck:“Hey Bloomster… we can’t give up now, we got to help them!“

Scoot smiles to comfort her friend:“Yeah, we have to show some guts now! All the ponies believe in our friends, we have to believe in them too and not just that, we have to help them as best as we can because we are their friends and Equestria is our beautiful home!“ She grabs Bloom’s hoof and pulls her up:“We have to be brave now!“ she stands in front oft hem like Rainbow Dash usually does. Like a  brave, loyal leader.

Apple Bloom nods in agreement:“Let’s help them by fighting against some of these small nightmares“ she smiles at them.

As soon as possible, after only a few moments actually, they begin to gallop to the castle grounds, into the castle, where this creatures with claws and sharp teeth are. They areand the is not entirely sure why, but she assumes that they just want to damage everything. She can’t figure out any sane way to do something like that. She frowns:“I’m curious how to defeat them, but I’m not sure if we can defeat them at all!“

Scootaloo takes off into the air and growls:“I guess we have to find out and there’s only one way to do so, a little combat!“ she dashes into the direction where some of hem are. She kicks and punches them, struggles when they try to attack. Scootaloo is obviously the pony with the most courage of the three, but Spike helps her immediately. He has claws and teeth himself and his bigger and stronger than the little monsters:“Hey you two, would you be so kind and help us?!“ he growls and punches some nightmares away.

Apple Bloom nods and reacts immediately. She gallops to them and kickgs the creatures who look like a mix of a dog and a bear away. Her legs are pretty so strong so she has no problem fighting against them, it brings some good things to buck apples all day, that you get strong is perhaps the best one.

Sweetie Belle was, is and will never be a good fighter or someone who even likes to battle, just like her elder sister, but she could make it in a fight any day and that’s what she does now, she tries her best to get through this crowd.

Apple Bloom looks around. Here are too many doors they will never find out where the others are, it could take them hours to find the right chamber, but they don’t have much time left. How are they supposed to find them. Apple Bloom breaks down.“What are we gonna do? What are we gonna do?!“ she complains.

Sweetie Belle places a hoof on her back:“Don’t worry so much Apple Bloom. We have to believe and we have to hope, we have no other chance“

Apple Bloom sobs:“But we can’t just run around and think that we just find them sometime by accident!“

Sweetie sighs, she looks around:“I have to agree with you, but we can’t stop now, we have to try it. I for my part don’t want to give up my hope“ she grins:“Never give up!“ she tries to comfort her friend and they continue their search.

Apple Bloom feels a heavy, magical power that pressest hem back. It’s similar to what happened a few minutes ago. That means they are getting closer, when you’re able to feel the magical energy it’s either extremely strong or very, very close. Apple Bloom thinks both ist he case right now.

Scootaloo still leads the way. Apple Bloom is amazed by the courage of her friend, she’s never seen a pony quite like her. Maybe Rainbow Dash, but that’s all.

They run and run through the corridors of the castle, they look into several doors, but none oft hem is the room they seek.

The magical energy gets stronger and stronger, it’s getting more difficult to get forward and another bad thing is that a lot of nightmares are chasing them. Apple Bloom looks back, she can’t even look fast enough until an arrow almost hits her.

Spike jumped in front of her and blocked it. „Thanks Spike“, she smiles happily. The dragon breaks the arrow off:“No problem Bloom! My scales are strong and resistant, nothing can break it that-“ he couldn’t end the sentence anymore. They shoot many more arrows at them. Spike jumps faster than Apple Bloom or Sweetie Belle ever could. Many of them are stuck in his back or his belly. He has no time to break all off, he just  to protect the three ponies.

Scootaloo starts to help him by fighting against these creatures:“You’re a true friend Spike. It’s awesome how you sacrifice yourself for us!“

They run ahead:“Hey it’s no problem, I did many other things to help friends. Believe me, I would even give my life“

Apple Bloom thinks of that while they’re running. They all have some dominant characteristics that make them what they are, that’s what makes them special, like a second cutie mark you have to find out what it is. It’s like the elements of harmony, deep inside of you. She remembers when Sweetie Belle was taking some courses in Twilight’s school. She remembers the presentation Spike did back then, it was about different kinds of magic. She gasps as an idea floods her mind. Probably it really is what she thinks. Probably everypony and even every creature in this world has to put it that way an element of harmony inside. A special talent, that marks your character and gives you some magical strength.

All of a sudden the farmer pony feels much stronger than before. She feels like she could do anything, she even feels the power to defeat that monster, somehow anyway. “We can do it!“ she shouts.

Sweetie Belle grins:“That what I told you all the time“

Spike nods in agreement:“My words Bloom!“

Scoot has to agree too:“See, all we need is courage, hope and a little sacrifice“

In that moment they find the correct room. The magical power is so mighty, that they can barely stand on their hooves. It presses them back, like a storm.

They can see how their six friends are glowing in a bright, white light and how the gigantic nightmare is fighting against them.

He looks at the four friends:“Hah! You’re too late! I will win, you four have no chance against me! You’re all alone!“

Luna suddenly stands up again. She seems exhausted and tired, almost all of her magical energy is gone, but she stands up because she wants Sg defend her subjects:“No they’re not, I’m here!“

A few guards are still in the room. They sit at the walls and shiver in fear. Apple Bloom looks at them:“Come here! We need you, we can still do that“

The nightmare growls and they get pushed away by his power, but they stand on their four hooves. They remain there, they will try everything to save Equestria, how the others saved Equestria too.

Luna smiles:“Once upon a time a wise pony told me you can’t destroy the elements of harmony just like that! Because you can’t destroy friendship and that’s why you can’t destroy magic. We will do our best to help them in this dark hour!“

Apple Bloom nods in agreement:“We all have magical power in us, that we can show with our special characteristics“ she looks at Scootaloo:“If it’s courage“ then at Sweetie Belle:“hope“ and then Spike:“or sacrifice“ she looks down at her hooves:“Or even something simple like curiosity“ her eyes wandert o the guards:“Everypony can do that! They just have to realize it!“

Two of the guards stand up and walk to them. They smile with hope in their eyes.

The nightmare just laughs again:“You have NO chance!“ he growls and it really seems like that. It almost seems like spirits of the elements of harmony give up. Apple Bloom grits her teeth:“We have to help them“

Spike frowns:“But how?“

Luna gasps:“I got an idea. Touch my and Sweetie’s horn and imagine that you have your own magic inside yourself, imagine that you transfer that magic into our horns and it will help us“

Spike touches Sweetie’s horn:“It’s worth a try!“ he has to shout, they’re not sure why it’s so loud, but it sounds like extremely noisy machines working on something gigantic“ Scootaloo and Apple Bloom touch Sweetie’s horn too and the guards try to help by touching Luna’s horn.

They all try their best, they think imagine The and it really feels physical.

Apple Bloom can feel how they levitate from the floor and they soar up into the air. It’s a warm, strong feeling, everything feels so static and somehow wonderfully comfortable.

Luna and Sweetie Belle suddenly open their eyes and they spark in a white light.

The last thing Apple Bloom is able to see are all the colours of the rainbow, how they lighten up the room, it looked like a rainbow how it floods around and crashes into the nightmare.

Apple Bloom opens her eyes, she moans because of a terrible headache. She looks around, but her vision is too blurry. She tries to stand up, the pony gets dizzy and falls down again. Her vision gets black again and it feels like something sucks the life out of her. She gets weaker and weaker. A soft, comfortable feeling sorrounds her while it feels like she was flying to that light at the end of the tunnel. But all of a sudden it fades away and Apple Bloom can't feel anymore, can't smell, see or see anything. "It's over" she yellow earth pony says to herself, she sighs and fades into eternal sleep.

Chapter 9 - Scootaloo

Chapter 9 – Scootaloo

Scootaloo slowly opens her light purple eyes. She can hardly see anything because something is lieing on her. She groans and pushes the thing away. Her eyes glare at Spike, she smiles. He protected her, he actually tried to protect them all, but Scootaloo was the one who was the closest to the nightmare. Suddenly her ears fap, she hears somepony sobbing. Scootaloo looks around and sees Sweetie Belle, her hooves wrapped around Apple Bloom's body and her eyes so red and swollen that they seem to fall out soon. Scootaloo frowns. She looks around, this place looks horrible. Everything's destroyed, even the ceiling isn't there anymore. There's only one good thing about this: The monster seems to have disappeared too.

She looks back at Sweetie Belle:"Sweetie? What... What happened?" her voice sounds even rougher than usually.

Sweetie Belle looks at her, tears running down her face:"She... Apple Bloom... she... she died" her head smacks on Apple Bloom's body and cries on it

Scootaloo's eyes widen. "No" she whispers so quiet that Sweetie Belle couldn't even hear it. A single tear runs down her cheek. She looks at the damaged floor:"No..." she says a little louder, but her voice is too weak to say anything else.

She looks at the others. They all seem to be about fine, they try to get up and are as confused as herself. She just has this deep, awful pain in her heart and her stomach that feels like a black hole. Her best friend just died... and Equestria doesn't seem to look much better.

Everypony's eyes wander to Celestia when she stands up, even Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo look up.

The white alicorn stands beside her sister. "She's badly injured and the hospital in Canterlot is destroyed" she whispers, ignoring her own wounds including a broken wing and a broken horn.

Rainbow Dash looks at her, then at her wings, they're broken:"Scootaloo, can you fly?"

The orange pegasus wipes her tears away and nods:"Yes... yes I can" she whispers.

Sweetie Belle cries get even louder:"Scoots can you take her with you?"

She frowns and shakes her head:"I don't think that-"

The white unicorn interrupts her:"PLEASE" her voice is rough and weak, just like Scootaloo's, but her eyes are still full of hope.

Scootaloo nods:"Alright. I will take both to the hospital in Cloudsdale"

Scootaloo flies as fast as she can and lands in Cloudsdale after a few minutes. She sighs and walks right to the weather factory. That’s where she works. She and many other ponies decide which weather happens where. She has to take care of the area of Canterlot, which includes Ponyville. She rolls her eyes because she thinks of the words her boss said when she started her job. “You should feel honoured little girl! Not every pegasus gets the chance to make the weather for our beautiful capital Canterlot! So feel honoured and do your best, alright?!”

And Scootaloo does her best, every day, but this job takes a lot of time from her life. She sits in the office for almost 10 hours every day just to make the exact weather for the next day.

Every weather pegasus has his place, his own clouds and they often get new ones every day, clouds aren’t supposed to live a long time after all. Scootaloo has to take care of every weather pony, she has to tell them exactly what to do and then she has to think of what they are supposed to do.

Scootaloo never went to High School, she went to the Weather School in Cloudsdale. Everypony always says it’s a school for the elite and she should feel honoured. To be exact she should feel honoured for pretty much everything, but that's not important right now! "Focus Scoot" she tells herself and flies as fast as she can to the hospital.

The pegasus lands on the cloud that leads to the hospital, she opens the door and sees doctors, nurses and small nightmares fighting. She gulps:”I need help!” she tries to get the attention.

One of the doctors looks at her, he gasps. “We’re pretty busy, the gigantic nightmare is gone, but now we have to deal with those, follow me” he wipes sweat on his forehead away and gallops to the next chamber.

Scootaloo lies Luna and Apple Bloom onto two beds. Immediately two other nurses come into the room and help the injured ponies.

The doctor sighs, his exhausting eyes wander over everything, he tries to get Apple Bloom back, but it doesn’t work apparently. He frowns:”I don’t think I can bring your friend back… but the princess will be alright” he smiles.

But Scootaloo can’t smile, she’s about to cry again. She lies her head in Apple Bloom’s hair and a few tears make her beautiful, red mane wet. The doctor hasn’t given up yet, but the orange pegasus has. She doesn’t even notice how they try to bring her back and she doesn’t even notice how Apple Bloom slowly opens her eyes.

The doctor looks through the windows. All the pegasi in Cloudsdale have left the city, but the earth ponies and unicorns that can only stand on clouds because of unicorn magic are in the claws of these creatures.

“Someone has to help them” the doctor shivers and continues helping Luna and Apple Bloom.

Scootaloo kicks one of the nightmares through the window. “I will do that!” she says rapidly and flies away. She doesn’t care about her own health, she doesn’t care how the nightmares bite and scratch her until she bleeds, she just takes each of the ponies down so that they are save. The pegasus flies back to Cloudsdale a last time, she breathes heavily and is extremely exhausted.

Apple Bloom is finally fully awake after several hours, she looks at Scootaloo and smiles:”Thank you” she says in a very rough voice.

Scootaloo can barely hear her anymore, she doesn’t realize who just spoke to her. She lies down in a bed and falls asleep.

Sleep, that’s good now, that what feels comfortable.

When the orange pegasus wakes up again, Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle are sitting in the beds next to her. “APPLE BLOOM!” Scootaloo shouts, she flies up and jumps on her friend. The earth pony groans, but has to giggle:”I’m glad to see you too! Thanks Scoot, you saved my life” They hug each other and then everypony pays attention to the two royal sisters who are standing away from them and stare through the window.

Luna is raising the moon, it’s beautiful how the moon slowly lightens the sky and of course the stars too, how everything gets dark and shimmers in a beautiful, silver light.

Celestia turns to the other ponies:”I have to thank you. All of you. You were able to save Equestria once again. It’s clear how strong your friendships are, not just the six spirits of the elements of harmony, but also their younger friend and even other ponies who just wanted to help, like my guards.

You and all the ponies who helped others are true heroes. I’m very proud of all of you. It will take a while until everything is normal again, but if everypony helps we can make Equestria a wonderful place again, thank you”

And that’s what they finally did, all of them worked together to rebuild all the destroyed houses and help the ponies who lost their homes. It took them several months, but after a while everything was stable again.

-

Cheering ponies can be heard all over Cloudsdale. Pegasi, Unicorns and Earth Ponies are all sitting in the arena of Cloudsdale, cheering, screaming and clapping their hooves.

Rainbow Dash rises her hoof and slowly everypony calms down:”Thank you, that all of you came today. Today we, the Wonderbolts, celebrate two things. First, that I become the new leader of the Wonderbolts and also that we welcome a new member!” she says without a microphone, but still loud enough that everypony can hear her.

Now Spitfire flies into the arena, she smiles as the ponies cheer until they calm down. “Thank you everypony. I’m the old leader of the Wonderbolts, I’m getting a little slower already and so I wanted to make Rainbow Dash the new leader!”

A little ceremony follows and now the applause is so heavy that it almost destroys your ears.

Rainbow Dash giggles, it takes a lot longer until the crowd calms down again. She snickers and starts to talk again:”Thanks! Thank you! All of you! You’re amazing, it’s like a dream come true to me and also you made it possible! I hope I’ll be a good leader of the team” she smiles and points to an entrance. “But now I want to introduce to you, the new member: Scootaloo!”

The orange pegasus flies onto the stage, rapidly. She’s a little nervous, but she tries to hide it, she can’t be nervous as a new Wonderbolt!

Rainbow Dash wraps her hoof around Scootaloo:”My dear friend here showed the absolute right characteristics of a Wonderbolt in one of the darkest hours.

She showed that she’s brave, loyal and strong! She’s fast, agile and caring! She’s not afraid of anything and would help anypony who needs her!Further is her special talent performing, she’s definitely the right pony for this job!”

Now the crowd is even louder then before. Scootaloo blushes a bit. She couldn’t be happier, working with Rainbow Dash! As a Wonderbolt! That’s also a dream come true to her, absolutely.

Rainbow Dash flies away for a few seconds and comes with Scootaloo’s old scooter back:”Come on, show us some of your skills” she smiles warmly.

Scootaloo gulps, but nods. She wraps her hooves around the scooter and begins to fly. She spins, loops and flies over the crowd, stands with one hoof on her scooter and it almost looks like she would dance and that technically what she does, she just dances.

The pegasus lies the scooter down and flies up into the sky to make figures out of the clouds. She flies upside down, in an extreme speed so that she doesn’t notice a storm cloud coming closer. She turns around, the pegasus gasps as she sees the cloud. It’s too late, even for pegasi it’s painful to crash into a thunder cloud.

The crowd gasps too, but now because she almost crashes into the cloud but because they see energy and air around her, like the aura Rainbow Dash has before the Sonic Rainboom.

Scootaloo closes her eyes and crashes into the cloud, but something else happens, she gets even faster and she can feel the powerful energy flooding around her, going through her whole body.

Scootaloo opens her eyes again. It really does looks like a Sonic Rainboom, but instead of a Rainbow it’s a glowing and yellow, with lightings striking.

She flies over the crowd and finally lands when it’s over. She breathes heavily and smiles at the crowd who is freaking out right now.

Rainbow Dash holds a medal and lies it over Scootaloo’s neck:”Congratulations, you just managed to a special move every Wonderbolt has!

I think it’s really clear now that you’re perfect for that. Welcome to the Wonderbolts Scootaloo!”

They both hug and neither Rainbow Dash not Scootaloo could be any happier right now.

After a little ceremony, a few newspapers want a photo of Scootaloo, all her friends are standing next to her too, telling her how great she is, hug and cheer for her.

She looks at her friends:”Can they be in the photo too? I would appreciate it. I couldn’t have made it without them. I love them, they’re so awesome” she smiles.

The ponies agree and the others are standing next to Scootaloo now. Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy fly over them, Spike, Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle sit in front of her so that you can only see Scootaloo’s face and her medal anymore.

Pinkie Pi, Applejack, Rarity and Twilight Sparkle stand right next to her.

Apple Zappy and Apple Jam and Cheery Pie are too shy to get into the newspaper and Fluttershy thinks Autumn Blaze is too young. Cheery Pie, Apple Zappy, Apple Jam and Autumn Blaze will get their own photo anyway. They don’t know it yet, but this day they will become friends. Friends like the older ponies, their families are.

So they all stand together and make this photo.

They will all get this photo and they will keep it. It will stand in their houses, somewhere where they can see it every day. They take a little picture to remember them of their friendship.

A photo that is supposed to remember them that they have something very special, they are the best friends each one of them could ever think of.

And they’ll always be,

for the rest of their lives.

Epilogue - Spike

Epilogue - Spike

So the six spirits of the elements of harmony saved Equestria once again and it may hasen’t been the last time.

Spike lays the quill down and sighs in relief. “It’s finally done” he smiles and stands up. The dragon walks to the fridge and takes a sandwich. In this moment Twilight comes in:”Good evening Spike!” she smiles and looks at his desk:”Oh, have you finished your book?” she smiles softly. Spike munches and nods:”Yep! My fourth book is finally done, just finished” he smiles:”Wanna read it? I mean, it’s nothing new for you, but I think it’s worth a shot!”

Twilight looks through the pages:”You’re an amazing writer Spike, I know a lot of ponies who enjoyed your books and they’re all over Equestria! Of course I will read it, I read the other three too. About Nightmare Moon, Discord, Chrysalis and all the other adventures! It’s great that someone writes all our memories down” she hugs his assistant who is like a son to her:”I’m sure the next generations will love to read it!” Spike shrugs:”Yeah, so that it’s not getting an old pony’s tale like Nightmare Moon was. Thanks Twi, it means a lot to me” he snickers:”I’m gonna make my usual tour now” he smiles at her and walks outside.

The dragon flaps his wings, he even goes off the ground for a few moments, but not very high and not very long. The dragon sighs full of bitterness. Since they saved Equestria six months ago his wings have grown a bit, he practices every day, but he doesn’t really get better at all. The purple dragon frowns and begins to walk through the streets of Ponyville.

His first stop is at Sugar Cube Corner. He slowly opens the door and peers inside:”Hello?” he asks because nopony seems to be inside. Suddenly a little pony jumps at him and snuggles the dragon. Cheery Pie is as happy as his mother always is:”Hello Spike!” the little guy greets him. Spike stands up and holds the little one in his arms. He walks inside and looks around:”Where’s your mom?” he asks.

Cheery suddenly struggles and gallops upstairs, he looks back for a moment:”You know Spike! My mommy plans pa’ties fo’ the p’incesses now!” he announces and continues running.

“I know!” Spike shouts and giggles.

After a few moments Pinkie comes downstairs, she actually bounces downstairs:”Hey Spike! I’m sorry, I’m planning a pretty big meeting for Princess Luna right now” she hugs him tightly:”What can I do for you?” she adds with a big grin.

Spike licks over his lips:”Do you have the usual?” his mouth is full of water already.

Pinkie nods with a great grin on her face. The pink earth pony takes a blue cupcake with baby sapphires in it and hands it Spike:”Rarity says they’re the best yet” she giggles:”Bye Spike!”

“Bye Pinkie” he answers and throws the cupcake in his mouth.

His next stop is at Carousel Boutique. He opens the door like it was his home and enters the shop. Rarity’s mother walks towards him:”Rarity is upstairs Spike” she smiles. Spike nods and hops upstairs into Rarity’s room:”Heeellooo darling!” he calls her and walks inside. The unicorn gallops to him and kisses him on the cheek:”It’s simply divine to see you sweetie” she kisses his mouth.

Spike kisses her back, full of passion:”I’m happy to see you honey, I always miss you so much when you’re in Canterlot”

Rarity frowns:”I know, it’s horrible that I can only be here Friday, Saturday and Sunday. I miss you so much!”

Spike nods in agreement:”I miss you too, but Pinkie’s gemstone cupcakes make it better” he giggles happily:”I have an idea Rarity! I asked Twilight and she says I can come with you every Sunday, I just have to come back to Ponyville Tuesday evening!” he makes his big announcement with a lot of pride in his world.

Rarity gasps, she hugs him tightly and isn’t even able to stop kissing him:”That’s wonderful Spikey! Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you” she almost cries and gives him a last kiss.

Spike giggles and kisses his girlfriend back. As every time when Rarity is in town he has dinner with her family, a nice talk and lots of other things pairings do all day.

It’s sunset when Spike leaves Carousel Boutique with a big, happy smile on his face. His next stop is Fluttershy’s cottage. He walks through the garden and it seems like the animals already waited for him coming. A lot of birds land on him for a short while and a cat nuzzles him. He snickers and knocks at Fluttershy’s door.

As Spike expected Big Macintosh opens the door. The dragon bows:”Evening Big Mac”

The tall, red stallion just nods and lets the purple and green dragon inside.

“Swike!” the baby pegasus Autmn Blaze cries. He crawls towards him to hug him. Of course Spike hugs him back:”Hey Blaze, nice to see you” he nuzzles him and goes to Fluttershy.

She is pretty busy taking care of Peewee, the little phoenix just had his first cyclus and Spike needs the pegasus’ help to take care of him, but Spike visits Fluttershy sometimes anyway. He pets the phoenix who has no feathers anymore:”Are you alright Peewee?” he just answers with a squeak and a cough. Spike giggles:”Yeah, that’s what I thought. Just wanted to check on you” he smiles at Fluttershy:”Thanks Flutter”

She nods:”That’s no problem Spike.  Blaze loves to play with Peewee and the other animals”

He puts the little colt down and hugs his pet for another time:”I don’t have much time today sorry, see you” he waves and walks away, on four legs this time though.

It takes him a while to get to Sweet Apple Acres, it’s already night when he arrives the barn. He knocks at the door and Apple Bloom opens the door only a few seconds afterwards. She still walks with a limp, but she’s much better now:”Good evening Spike, nice to see you” she smiles and leads him into the kitchen where Applejack is pretty busy baking with her children.

Spike takes the bits out of his pocket and lies them on the table:”I hope the pie is fresh today” he licks his lips again. Applejack nods:”Of course Spike” she answers and hands him the treats” he looks at them with sparkly eyes and water in his mouth. Apple Bloom strokes his scales:”These are not just for you Spike! Give Twilight some too” she smiles.

The dragon rolls his eyes:”What do you think?!” he snickers and takes the treats:”Thanks like every day”

Both Applejack and Apple Bloom throw two apples at him and say:”Buy some apples!” Spike catches them, talks a bit with the family and leaves the barn after a while.

It’s a pretty long track from Sweet Apple Acres back to the library, it would take him about half an hour. He suddenly sees two dashing things in the sky. He assumes that they’re two pegasi. He shrugs and walks ahead, but all of a sudden one of them dashes down to them. Spike is a dragon, he is able to see extremely good in the night, like a cat. He realizes who that is immediately. It’s Rainbow Dash:”Hey Dash! What are YOU doing here?” he forms an O with his mouth.

Scootaloo lands beside Rainbow. The cyan pegasus smiles:”The Wonderbolts are performing tomorrow. We just fly around here to visit you guys. I’m the leader of the Wonderbolts remember?!” she grins and hugs the baby dragon. “Yeah, you just mention it every time we see you” he answers.

Scootaloo nods in agreement:”It’s going to be my first show outside Cloudsdale Spike! Will you all come?”

Spike nods:”Yep! I just forgot that for a moment. Rarity told me even Sweetie Belle is coming too. You know her tour ended a week ago, she’s visiting Ponyville again” he smiles and eats one of the apples.

Scootaloo smiles:”That’s awesome! We wanted to visit Twilight now” she takes off into the sky, Rainbow starts flying to.

Spike looks at his tiny wings and frowns:”I don’t think I can do that…” he sighs and sits down. Suddenly something tackles him from behind. Rainbow Dash puts him on her back:”That’s no problem!” she chuckles.

Scootaloo nods:”Don’t worry Spike! You’ll be able to fly someday! It took me forever to learn flying” she smiles to comfortably. “Until Rainbow Dash gave me lessons of course!”

Spike eats the other apple and looks at the ground. The lights are beautiful, it’s interesting to see all the ponies from above. How they talk and walk, how they do what they always do at this time of day. He loves to see the nature, all the flowers and trees. He looks at the birds that fly far in the distance or right beside them. He smiles and looks ahead again. He looks ahead, ready for the future.

Chapter 4 - Sweetie Belle

Chapter 4 - Sweetie Belle

"Sweetie Belle! Sweetie Belle! It's time to get up!" Octavia knocks at her door. "Even Vinyl Scratch is up already!"

Sweetie Belle opens her eyes, she just woke up from a terrible nightmare. She can't really remember what happened, but she knows she had one. She hasn't slept very well in general, but today is her first concert after a few month and she has to be ready to sing in front of whole Ponyville. She can't decline it now. "Sweetie! Get up now or I make you get up!" Octavia complains outside. The white unicorn rolls her grass-green eyes:"I come in a second!" she answers as loud as possible, her throat is pretty rough though.

Sweetie Belle slowly gets up, she brushes her hair and trots outside. The moaning filly steps outside her cabinet and walks through the train. The train ride was horrible. They had to sleep in this uncomfortable beds two nighs and Sweetie Belle hasn't been outside for these two days.

"Morning Vinyl, morning Octavia" she yawns and sits down in the dining car:"How has your night been gals?" she asks and takes something to eat.

Vinyl grins and answers,"Oh it was cool, you know! Octavia and I had some fun!"

Octavia leers at the unicorn:"Yeah... fun... You know how loud she can be" Octavia rolls her eyes.

Sweetie Belle giggles while the two are kissing each other:"Girls! Children are watching"

Both look at her with a angry look on their face.

Sweetie just shakes her head and continues to eat, however without looking into their eyes.

Suddenly they hear an announcement:"We've just arrived Ponyville. We will stay here for 15 minute. You can go outside if you want a rest. Enjoy your stay for those who remain here"

"FINALLY!" Sweetie Belle shouts out and jumps up:"Get your things and wake the boys up. I've got friends to meet"

Vinyl bites Sweetie's tale and pulls her back. "Not so fast, help us. We also have friends in Ponyville"

Sweetie jumps up and whips Vinyl Scratch with her tail. "Yeah, but I'm the lead singer and songwriter" she gallops outside. She couldn't hear what Octavia was yelling anymore.

The way to Sweet Apple Acres is pretty long and Sweetie Belle tries to avoid everypony, but after a while she finally gets to the acres. The unicorn silently tiptoesover the grass until she gets to the barn where Apple Bloom and the kids are.

"So how did you get your cutie mark auntie Bloom?" Apple Zappy asks while Apple Jam is braggins with hers.

"Well that's an interesting story" Sweetie Belle grins and steps in front of them. "Hey Bloom" she whispers and smiles softly. "SWEETIE!" the yellow earth pony jumps over the foals and tackles Sweetie Belle down to give her a big, tight hug:"I missed you so much!" both start to giggle and Sweetie Belle answers:"I've missed you too. I can't believe we haven't seen each other in a year!" she sighs and both stand up.

Apple Jam looks at Sweetie with her big, confused eyes:"I didn't know you know Sweetie Belle of the Crusaders of Rock"

Sweetie Belle laughs:"Know me? She's my best friend!"

Apple Zappy looks even more confused:"Should I know her?" he frowns.

Apple Bloom smiles and hugs the colt:"You'll find out today at the concert. Sweetie Belle is an amazing singer, like absolutely awesome!"

Sweetie rolls her eyes:"Oh please, it's nothing special. So you guys come to the concert? I think I have to leave. We'll see each other there! And then" she walks over to the foals and nuzzles them:"I'll tell you two how Apple Bloom, Scootaloo and I got our cutie marks" she smiles and gallops away:"See ya, I'm sorry" she frowns while she is running to Carouselle Boutique. It's great to see your friends again, but it's even better to see your sister again and Sweetie Belle has to visit her elder sister at her boutique.

She knocks at the door. The unicorn hears loud noises from above, it sounds like metal is crashing on the floor:"IT'S CLOSE, CAN'T YOU READ?! STAY OUTSIDE!" Rarity yells from the inside and Sweetie hears her muted voice so it doesn't seem too angry anymore:"Okay, I'll see if I can find another sister!" Sweetie shouts back, she giggles and is about to leave. Not even ten second later the door opens and Rarity flings her arms around Sweetie Belle's neck. "oh my sweetie, why didn't you say it was you? Come inside" the white unicorn smiles and leads the way inside. "I knew you were coming to Ponyville, but I thought you were all busy with the preperations for the concert, I'm sorry darling. Do you accept my apologize?"

Sweetie smiles and nods:"What else sis?" she looks around. Everything looks like it did a year ago, when she and her friends graduated and Sweetie Belle formed a band to travel through all of Equestria and even to some other countries. Suddenly she spots three beautiful dresses and two suits, they're in different colors, but still the same type, each one fits the other perfectly. The fabric is a beautiful mix of silk, smooth cloth and a few gemstones, it harmonizes beautifully:"Wow! What are these for?" her eyes spark in amazement.

Rarity looks over to them:"Oh these? I've made them for you. Just in case your band needs new costumes"

Sweetie smirks:"Uhm... ehhh... Rarity... these are... uhm... beautiful, but my band is not the type of band that... you know" she frowns.

Rarity pets her sister:"Don't worry Sweetie! Just tell me if you need them or tell me if you need anything, I make it for free. Wanna eat something?" Sweetie just nods and joins Rarity at breakfast.

The rest of the day passed by pretty fast. Sweetie met Scootaloo and also a few other ponies, but in the afternoon she has to prepare herself and the stage for the concert. Everypony in the band had a nice day, but now they have to build everything up. Since three of them are unicorns it doesn't take very long and after a few others and the sun went down almost the whole village is there to listen to the music of the Crusaders of Rock.

Sweetie Belle steps onstage and smiles at everypony:"Good evening everyone! Thanks to all of you for coming, it means a lot to me to see all the ponies from my home again. May introduce to you my band, the Crusaders of Rock!" she remembers her first time on stage, it was a disaster, Sweetie Belle could barely speak until she was finally able to sing something. She left that behind her, but Ponyville is still something special and her heart beats extremely hard each time before a concert. "My name is Sweetie Belle and I'm the lead singer of this band. Next to me is Vinyl Scratch, she gives our music the best additional beat you could imagine! On the other side is Octavia, she plays the Cello fantastically. Behind me is our drummer Whirly Twist, you should pay attention to his beat, it's awesome. And the last one is our pianist Wish Key, he's probably one of the best pianist in the world! And a big thanks to my best friends Scootaloo and Apple Bloom who do the scenery today! Enjoy the concert!"

Suddenly the spotlights go off and the music slowly starts.

moke is slowly crawling on the floor, the only spotlight is on her and Sweetie Belle starts to sing, she sings absolutely on key without any problems.

Suddenly the lights are getting brighter, a thing that looks like a disco ball projects thousands of points which look like stars. She smiles while the light rays and other lights are flooding the room. All the lights go off except one spotlight and the 'stars' after Sweetie has finished the first chorus. Stained glass is hanging from the ceiling, they make a beautiful atmosphere and lighten up the beautiful coulisse. The lights are flooding the room again while Sweetie Belle is singing the second chorus, the stars are moving and you feel like you were in a real scene, the apple orchard Apple Bloom drew as coulisse disappears and after a few moments the first song is over.

Sweetie Belle smiles at the loud, screaming croud who stomp their hooves on the ground, her voiced filled all of them with joy. "Thank you Ponyville!" she looks at her band members and suddenly they begin to play a much faster song and so does the scenery and that for the rest of the concert.

"Wonderful job!"

"Amazing concert!"

"I've never seen such an amazing concert in my whole live"

Many ponies try to talk to Sweetie Belle and their band after the show is over. Pinkie Pie planed the whole concert and she wanted to have a party afterwards. Sweet Apple Acres and Sugar Cube Corner do the catering and Vinyl Scratch is so kind and works as a DJ for the music. "It was so amazing, terrific and absolutely AWESOME. I can't believe you even improved your voice" Scootaloo compliments her friend. Apple Bloom nods in agreement:"Totally agreed! Your band is so great!"

Cheery Pie, Apple Zappy and Apple Jam are running over to them. Apple Jam clears her throat:"You promised we would hear your cutie mark story now!" she grins brightly.

Pinkie Pie looks at them behind the bar:"Please hurry! Cheery Pie has to go to sleep soon, but HAVE FUN!" she smiles and serves ponies.

The six ponies trot over to a place which is more quiet and sit down.

Scootaloo smiles at them and starts to explain:"Over ten years ago we didn't know each other. We were the only three ponies in our school who didn't have their cutie marks yet. At a party of our classmate Diamond Tiara we met each other the first time and realized we are seeking for the same thing. So we formed our own club 'The Cutie Mark Crusaders' we wanted to crusade for our cutie marks. Together!"

Apple Bloom continues:"We were five and in first grade back then, two years passed and we haven't got our cutie marks yet. We were very sad and thought we would never get our cutie marks. We didn't listen to everypony, these things need time and they will appear when the time is right. I know this sounds lame and boring to you, but you will understand when you're older. I'm sure you can't wait for your cutie mark either!

Now Sweetie Belle continues:"One faithful day we went into the everfree forest. There were so called trolls, they captured us and and wanted to eat us! Well not when we are around! Scootaloo does awesome tricks on her scooters! She flipped and looped around and distracted the trolls so that we could escape" Scootaloo stands up and shows her cutie mark: a scooter and a wing on each side.

"Apple Bloom built traps with the twines of zap apple trees, she also did very creative distractions with all sorts of things" Apple Bloom stands up an shows her cutie mark, a zap apple with a paintbrush.

Sweetie Belle smiles and Apple Bloom continues:"We almost escaped them, but then suddenly, when we were almost outside they attacked us again. We were freaking out, but Sweetie kept calm and thought about what Rarity told her! 'Just sing to keep calm'. The song came out of nowhere, it just popped into her head and she began to sing. We calmed down and even the trolls stopped for a few seconds and that was our chance! We were able to escape. Back in our clubhouse we realized that these here appeared"

Now Sweetie Belle stands up too and shows her cutie mark, a heart with two eigth notes.

Scootaloo continues:"It was like the happiest and most adventerous day of our lives! It was just awesome! My cutie marks means I can do the best flying tricks and dance moves with my scooter. Apple Bloom's special talent is arts and crafts especially with apples and Sweetie Belle's special talent is fill every creature with certain feelings with the aid of her wonderful music"

The foals stare at them, totally amazed by this story. Apple Jam:"That's so awesome!"

Cheery Pie nods:"I want mah cudie ma'k now!"

Apple Zappy giggles:"Yeah, me too!"

Apple Bloom smiles:"Well, probably you're the new generation of Cutie Mark Crusaders!"